Automatic crank-pin lubricator



Feb. 14, 1928. 1,658,791

E. J. BRENNAN AUTOMATIC CRANK PIN LUBRIGATOR Filed April 24. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 14, 1928.

, E. J. BRENNAN AUTOMATIC CRANK PIN LUBRIGATOR Filed April 24. 1926 Patented Feb. 14,1928.

UNITED STATES EDWARD J". BRENNAN, OF CELWEIN, IOWA.

AUTOMATIC CRANK-PIN LUBRICATQR.

Application filed April 24, 1926. Serial no. 104,428.

This invention relates to automatic crank pin lubricators and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object ofthe invention is to provide a simple and efiicient means for automatically supplying small amounts of lubricant at the'desired intervals, to the periphery of the crank pin, as for instance on a locomotive drive wheel, to which the usual-rods associated therewith are journalled. l

A further object of the invention is to provide a device to furnish a lubricant to the crank pin bearing uniformly and economically and this without the requirement of attention by an operator.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a structure of the kind wherein, the

necessity of drilling the main or side rods for lubricating passages and grease cups, which materially weakens said rods, is eliminated.

Still another object of the invention is to form the wheel by which the crankpin is carried with a lubricant supply compartment and to force feed a small quantity therefrom to the crank pin for lubricating purposes, at the desired intervals of time.

These objects of the invention, as well as others, together with the many'advantages thereof will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification. 1

In the drawings I i Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of one of the drive wheels of a locomotive, embodying my improved crank pin lubricator.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of parts shown at the bottom end of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on a further enlarged scale as taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view as taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view as taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through one of the side rods as taken'on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3, with the associated wheel shown in elevation.

I have illustrated and will describe the invention as embodied in one of the drive wheels of a locomotive, but this is not intended as by way of a limitation, because as under pressure,

will be apparent, the invention may be em bodied in other structures where its peculiar characteristics makes it of advantage to do so. l

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings :1 indicates as a whole one of the drive wheels of a locomotive which includes a hub 2, a rim 3 and radial spokes 1 connecting said hub and rim. To the rim is fixed the usual tire 5. On one part of the wheel, a counter weight 6 is pro vided and diametrically opposite the same is formed a boss 7 merging into the hub and in which a crank pin 8 is fixed in any suitable manner. Said crank pin as herein shown is of the stepped kind and on the inner part 8 of larger diameter thereof is journalled the bearingend of one of the side rods 9 and on the outer part 8 of smaller diameter thereof is journalled the bearing end of the main rod 10. The bearings of saidrods on said crank pin are only generally illustrated and described herein, because they vary in different types of locomotives. (See Fig. 3.) I

The space between two of the spokes 4+4 adjacent the boss 7, is enclosed by front and rear plates 11 and 12 respectively which are welded at their margins to said spokes. boss and rim to provide a lubricant chamber or compartment 13. In the front plate near the rim is an opening normally closed by a plug 14 whereby the said compartment mav be filled with a lubricant, preferably a soft grease; 1 V i In the crank pin boss isformed a transverse passageway 15 and the said boss within the compartment lfariswelded the short leg 16 of an L shaped fitting 17. (SeeFiah 3).. The long legg18 of said fitting, which is preferably but not necessarily square in cross section, extends paral el with the crank pin and is of such length as toproject the and each being enlarged at itsouter end as best shown in Fig. 3. p

In the opening 19 in the front plate 11 is mounted a plunger guide casting 24 which includes a radial flange 25 toreceiv-e bolts 26 for securing the casting to the plate 11.

Said casting is provided with a rectangular bore to receive the outer ends of the long leg 18 of the fitting l7 audits front end is formed by a wall 27 having an opening 28 therein. In therecess 20 or the fitting 17 is a piston or plunger 29 having stems 30 and 31 respectively at each end The stem 31 extends into the passageway 21 of the fitting while the other stem projects through the opening 28 in the front end wall of the casting, the extreme outer end of the last mentioned stem being rounded as shown in Fig. 3. A spring 32 surrounds the stem 30, between the innerend of the recess 20 and the plunger to normally urge the plunger as a whole, outwardly.

In the crank pin 8 is an axially disposed passageway which is closed at its outer end and at its inner end is in communication with the passageway 15 in the crank pinboss 7. i

In the portions 8 and 8 of the crankpin, are 'adially disposed but oil'set ports 33 and 33 respecti'yely which communicate attheir inner endswith the passageway 33 in the crank pmand at their outer ends open through the peripheries of the associated parts of the crank pin.

On the innersurface of theside rod 9 is formed a cam like projection 34 which in the operation of the locomotive, is adapted to engage or wipe against the outer rounded end ofthe plunger stem 31.

During the revolutions of the wheel 1,

grease will be forced through the ports 23 of the fitting 17 and into the passageway 121, the end of the inner stem 30 of the plunger, normally uncovering said ports.

During each revolution of the wheel, the projection 34 on the side rodwill engage the end of the outerstem 3110f the plunger and will force it'inwardly against the action of the spring 32, the endof the inner stem movingpast the ports 23 and forcing the small amount OIli"lul1l1lClIlt admitted to the passageway 21 rearwardly as best shown 1n ig. 3. In time the passages 21 and2 2 as wellasthose in the crank pin will be filled with grease so that eachtime the wheel resaid wheel revolves.

crem ovedfor inspection of the plunger and other interior parts without disturbing the L shaped fitting.

-My invention is simple in construction and ispositivein operation and can be readily applied to locomotives already in service. I It force feeds a small quantity of lubricant for each rotation of the WllCQl and needs no attention except to see that the compartment l3has a proper supply of'lubricant therein. 3 y

While in describing my invention, I have referred to 'manydetails of construction as wellas form and arrangement ot parts thereof, I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be pointed out in' the appended claims. y a

I claim as my invention a 1. In combination with a wheel, a lubricant reservoir and a crank pin carried by s id wheel, there being a conduit connecting said reservoir and crank pin, force feeding means positioned lllpSEllCl reservoir and ineluding a plunger arranged parallel with the crank pin, and meansfor automatically actuating the plunger to force lubricant from the reservoir to the crank pin.

2. lncombination" with a wheel, a lubricant reservoir and a crank pin carried by said wheel, there being a conduit connecting said reservoir andcrank, pin, force feeding meanspositioned in said reservoir and including a plunger arranged parallel with the crank pin, and means iorautomatieally and periodically actuating the plunger to force lubricant from the reservoir to the crank pin. I i a i 3. A locomotive drive wheel having a 111- .bricantreservoir positioned between two of the spokes thereof anda crank pin, and mechanism for force feeding 1 lubricant to said crank pin, said mechanism being formed and positioned within the reservoir and including a partarranged parallel with said pin and adapted for actuation by engagement with another part of: the locomotive as 4. A locomotive drive;wheehtformed to provide a lubricant reservoir between at least two of its spokes, a crankpin carried by the wheel, and means for periodically force feed ing lubricant fromsaid reservoir to said crank pin, said means extending parallel with said crankpin.

5. A. locomotive drive wheel, having spokes, plates fixed toopposite sides of at least two of} the spokes to provide an enclosed lubricant reservoir, and means for pcriodically force feeding lubricant from the reservoir to the crank pin, said means extending parallel with said crank pin.

6. A locomotive drive wheel having a crank pin bossand'a crank pin therein,

means providing a lubricant reservoir po-t sltioned 1n sald wheel ad acent the boss, said all said reservoir and including a part projecting beyond the same and to be automatically actuated during the revolution of the wheel,

to operate the force feed device to force lubricant through the passageway.

7. A locomotive drive wheel embodying therein, means providing a lubricant reservoir, a crank pin carried by the wheel, there being a assageway leading from said reser voir to t -e crank pin, means in the reservoir providing a plurality of ports connected to said passageway, and a plunger operable from outside the reservoir for forcing lubricant farther along said passageway which enters said passageway through saidports.

8. A locomotive drive wheel, embodying therein, a crank pin boss and a crank pin therein, said boss and crank. pin having a conduit therein, means providing a lubricant reservoir adjacent the boss, a member fixed to the boss within said. reservoir and having a part parallel with the crank pin, said member having a passageway therein connected to said conduit and said part having lateral ports opening into the passa eway, a spring pressed plunger with a stem on both ends,

located in said part of said member, a casing carried by a fixed part of the wheel to receive said part of said member, one stem of the plunger entering saidl passageway to open up and close oif said ports whilethe other stem projects through said casing and means for engaging said last mentioned en of the plunger to actuate the same. a

9. In combination with a locomotive drive a rod j-ournalledl On the crank pin, and a force feed device associated with said lubricant chamber and adapted to be actuated by i the rod during the revolution of the drive wheel.

10. In combination with a locomotive derive wheel having a crank pin, means pro viding a lubricant reservoir carried by said wheel, a rod journalled on the crank pin, and a force feed device associated with said lubricant chamber and including a plunger, and means on said rod adapted to engage the plunger to actuate the force feed device in the revolution of the wheel.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set myhand, this 20 day of April, 1926.

EDWARD J. BRENNAN. 

